U.S. patent application number 14/902624 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for electromagnetic valve device and coil former.
This patent application is currently assigned to ETO Magnetic GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is ETO Magnetic GmbH. Invention is credited to Stefan Bender, Peter Vincon.
Application Number | 20160186879 14/902624 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51014260 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160186879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vincon; Peter ; et
al. |
June 30, 2016 |
ELECTROMAGNETIC VALVE DEVICE AND COIL FORMER
Abstract
An electromagnetic valve device with an armature unit (10) which
is designed for carrying out an opening or closing operation of a
fluid channel and, as a reaction to stationary coil means (18, 20,
22), which at least partially surround the armature unit, being
energized, is driveable so as to be movable along an axial
direction (12) relative thereto, wherein the coil means have a coil
former (20) which forms a winding section (20) for a winding (22)
to be energized, and the coil former forms an axially extending
inner casing which is designed for guiding the armature unit and in
the lateral surface of which slot- or groove-like channels (54)
permitting drainage of an armature movement space are formed,
wherein the coil former provides a channel outlet (56) for the
channels (54) lying axially opposite an inlet- or respectively
outlet section (24) of the fluid channel and on the end face, with
which channel outlet blocking and/or deflection means against
infiltrating intrusive media are associated.
Inventors: |
Vincon; Peter; (Stockach,
DE) ; Bender; Stefan; (Engen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ETO Magnetic GmbH |
Stockach |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
ETO Magnetic GmbH
Stockach
DE
|
Family ID: |
51014260 |
Appl. No.: |
14/902624 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 28, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/061183 |
371 Date: |
January 4, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 27/029 20130101;
H01F 7/1607 20130101; F16K 31/0693 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16K 27/02 20060101
F16K027/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 19, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 107 743.9 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. An electromagnetic valve device with an armature unit (10)
which is designed for carrying out an opening or closing operation
of a fluid channel and, as a reaction to stationary coil means (18,
20, 22), which at least partially surround the armature unit, being
energized, is driveable so as to be movable along an axial
direction (12) relative thereto, wherein the coil means have a coil
former (20) which forms a winding section (20) for a winding (22)
to be energized, and the coil former forms an axially extending
inner casing which is designed for guiding the armature unit and in
the lateral surface of which slot- or groove-like channels (54)
permitting drainage of an armature movement space are formed,
wherein the coil former provides a channel outlet (56) for the
channels (54) lying axially opposite an inlet- or respectively
outlet section (24) of the fluid channel and on the end face, with
which channel outlet blocking and/or deflection means against
infiltrating intrusive media are associated.
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the coil former forms
the axially extending inner casing in the region of the winding
section.
13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the coil former (18)
forms at an axial end an inlet and/or outlet section (24) of the
fluid channel, which sits in one piece on the winding section (20)
and is constructed so as to be able to be closed by a closure
section (34) provided axially on the end face on or in the armature
unit.
14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the channels run at
least in sections axially parallel to the axial direction (12) and
continue in a stationary core unit (14) provided coaxially and for
magnetic cooperation with the armature unit on or in the coil
former.
15. The device according to claim 11, wherein fluid guide sections
(74) are associated with the coil former for the formation of a
section of the fluid channel, which fluid guide sections are
arranged radially outwards and have deflection and/or meander means
(76) for a fluid guidance.
16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the fluid guide
sections (74) are realized as an assembly connected on the casing
side with the winding section, sitting laterally thereon.
17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the assembly is a
plastic injection part.
18. The device according to claim 11, wherein the coil former is
realized as a one-piece injection part of a plastic material.
19. An electromagnetic valve device with an armature unit (10)
which is designed for carrying out an opening or closing operation
of a fluid channel and, as a reaction to stationary coil means (18,
20, 22), which at least partially surround the armature unit, being
energized, is driveable so as to be movable along an axial
direction (12) relative thereto, wherein the coil means have a coil
former (20) which forms a winding section (20) for a winding (22)
to be energized, and the coil former forms an axially extending
inner casing which is designed for guiding the armature unit and in
the lateral surface of which slot- or groove-like channels (54)
permitting drainage of an armature movement space are formed,
wherein an inlet or respectively outlet section (24) of the fluid
channel is connected via web sections (58, 60) in a cage-like
manner with the winding section (20) so that a fluid flow can take
place of fluid entering from axially outwards into the inlet or
respectively outlet section between this section, when a closure
section (34) provided axially on the end face on or in the armature
unit does not engage on the inlet or respectively outlet
section.
20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the coil former forms
the axially extending inner casing in the region of the winding
section.
21. The device according to claim 19, wherein the inlet or
respectively outlet section forms a channel (28) constructed in a
nozzle-like manner and/or widening axially on the end face, which
channel forms axially in the direction of the armature unit a
closure seat (32) for cooperation with the closure section (34) of
the armature unit.
22. The device according to claim 19, wherein the channels run at
least in sections axially parallel to the axial direction (12) and
continue in a stationary core unit (14) provided coaxially and for
magnetic cooperation with the armature unit on or in the coil
former.
23. The device according to claim 19, wherein fluid guide sections
(74) are associated with the coil former for the formation of a
section of the fluid channel, which fluid guide sections are
arranged radially outwards and have deflection and/or meander means
(76) for a fluid guidance.
24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the fluid guide
sections (74) are realized as an assembly connected on the casing
side with the winding section, sitting laterally thereon.
25. The device according to claim 24, wherein the assembly is a
plastic injection part.
26. The device according to claim 19, wherein the coil former is
realized as a one-piece injection part of a plastic material.
27. A coil former for the realization of an electromagnetic
adjustment device with a winding section (20), constructed for the
provision of a winding (22), extending along an axial direction
(12) which forms an interior space (16) designed for guiding an
armature unit (10) along the axial direction, wherein the coil
former has axially at one end an inlet and/or outlet section (24)
sitting in one piece, so that an armature unit (10) guided in the
interior space in a closure position can close an axially
internally-lying closure seat (32) of the inlet or respectively
outlet section and in an opening position, fluid flowing into the
inlet or respectively outlet section can pass through an opening
(62) or an aperture of the coil former between the inlet or
respectively outlet section and the winding section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic valve
device. The invention further relates to a coil former for the
realization of an electromagnetic adjustment device, in particular
of a generic electromagnetic valve device.
[0002] From the prior art, it is generally known to assume to use
electromagnetic actuators for valve control. In practical terms,
such an electromagnetic actuator is realized from an armature unit
which is movable relative to a stationary core- and a stationary
coil unit as a reaction to the energizing of this coil unit,
wherein typically such an electromagnetic adjustment device (also
designated as actuator) is configured structurally so that the coil
unit, realized from a coil former (typically constructed as a
plastic injection part) with a winding provided thereof, to be
energized in a suitable manner, surrounds the armature unit and
thus forms in its free interior an armature movement space. The
armature unit, accordingly movable along an axial longitudinal
direction (which typically is likewise a symmetry axis of a
radially symmetrical coil unit), typically has on the axial end
side a closure section, formed as an elastomer pad, which in
accordance with a respective axial armature position exposes a
valve seat, aligned axially to the armature unit and typically
stationary, of an electromagnetic valve known as being generic, and
therefore opens or respectively closes it.
[0003] Such a technology, assumed as being known, is configured for
the most varied of purposes of use and in particular is also able
to be produced or respectively manufactured advantageously from the
point of view of mass production.
[0004] Not least for these reasons the technology described above
has also established itself in automobile or respectively motor
vehicle applications and solves the most varied adjustment or
respectively valve functions, thus for instance as a fluid valve
for a motor vehicle air suspension.
[0005] However, the mobile use in fact places particular
requirements on such electromagnetic valve devices. Thus, for
instance, in the engine compartment, in the underneath region of
the vehicle or in other exposed installation spaces, particular
contamination situations occur, which leads to intrusive media, for
instance water, dust particles or other substances penetrating in
an undesired manner through valve outlets (for instance
conventional ventilation or respectively drainage openings) into
generic valve devices and thus leading to operational disturbances
or respectively to even bringing about a potential reduction of
service- or respectively operating times. At the same time,
however, it is frequently not possible, for instance through
structural reduction of the size of ventilation- or respectively
drainage cross-sections, to prevent such an undesired penetration
of foreign materials, because such measures not only have a
disadvantageous effect on dynamic characteristics and hence on the
operating behaviour of such valve devices, but also for instance in
(conventional) multi-part systems, the mounting or respectively
arrangement of ventilation- or respectively draining channels is
then made difficult.
[0006] A further technical disadvantage of the technology described
above, assumed as generic, lies in that with increasingly more
compact arrangements (for instance due to installation spaces
becoming smaller in an assembly context), an increasingly more
precise alignment of the armature unit together with the closure
element (i.e. for instance elastomer closure bodies) relative to
the valve seat is necessary; in the case of small radial
dimensions, otherwise already tolerances can lead to leakages and
hence to malfunctions of valve devices realized in this way. This
is in particular of concern in that in the case of devices known
from the prior art, the valve seat or respectively an assembly
realizing the valve seat on the one hand, and the armature unit
together with surrounding coil infrastructure on the other hand are
different assemblies, which if applicable are also subject
additionally to different tolerance conditions or respectively
environmental influences. Against this background and with the aim
of it still being possible to realize compact (i.e. in particular
minimized also in radial direction or respectively in diameter)
electromagnetic valve devices of the generic type, it is therefore
an object of the present invention to improve an electromagnetic
valve device according to the introductory clause of the main claim
with regard to optimized conditions for an adjustment or
respectively mounting, at the same time to provide for an optimized
closure in the cooperating between the armature unit or
respectively its closure section and an associated valve seat, and
additionally to provide passage- or respectively flow
cross-sections which are as wide as possible both for the fluid
which is to be operated with the valve device and also for any
fluids which are to be provided and let out for a drainage.
Additionally, the valve device which is to thus be improved is to
be protected in an improved manner against the undesired
penetration of intrusive media.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The problem is solved by the electromagnetic valve device
with the features disclosed herein, and advantageous further
developments of the invention are also described herein.
Independent protection within the scope of the invention is claimed
additionally for a coil former, which is suitable in particular for
the realization of the electric valve device disclosed herein,
furthermore, however, is also suitable for a plurality of further
electromagnetic adjustment devices, in particular again with a
particular focus on electromagnetic valves which are to be realized
therewith. Within the scope of the present invention in addition
the advantageous further developments described herein are also
deemed likewise applicable for and further developing the coil
former device according to the invention.
[0008] In an advantageous manner according to the invention, the
present invention firstly permits the effective formation of
channels serving for a drainage and/or a ventilation for instance
of the armature interior: These channels are formed according to
the invention in a further developing manner as slots or
respectively grooves in a (preferably hollow cylindrical) inner
casing of the winding section of the coil former, so that the coil
former in this region, in addition to its guidance role for the
(then likewise cylindrical) armature unit interrupts the lateral
surfaces, thus cooperating with one another, circumferentially by
the channels. Additionally in a further developing manner, these
are guided axially on the end face (lying opposite the inlet- or
respectively outlet section and hence the valve seat) via blocking-
or respectively deflection means, for instance a material realized
from the (plastic) material of the coil former, which in the manner
according to the solution advantageously prevents, at least
seriously impedes, the undesired entry of intrusive media into
these channels also in an environment of use which is susceptible
to contamination. Advantageously again the preferred configuration
of the coil former as a plastic injection part provides for the
possibility of implementing with the least effort these additional
improvements with the least possible additional expenditure in
terms of manufacture and assembly.
[0009] Again advantageously and in a further developing manner, the
invention makes provision that fluid guide sections are provided
preferably laterally adjacent to the coil former, which fluid guide
sections in particular guide the fluid, flowing through the
transition region, exposed in the case of an opening of the valve,
between the inlet- or respectively outlet section and the winding
section, laterally along the coil means, up to suitable outlets on
the base side. Such fluid guide sections are realized according to
the invention in a further developing manner in the form of
plate-shaped assemblies, further preferably even as plastic
injection moulded parts, wherein, again with the purpose of an
impeded penetration of intrusive media, in this way deflection- or
respectively meander means can be realized as sections of the fluid
guide, by such elevations or respectively depressions being
introduced into the plastic material by a further preferred plastic
injection moulding method.
[0010] In an advantageous manner according to the invention,
according to a further development additionally the inlet- and/or
outlet section is associated with the winding section of the coil
former, which inlet- and/or outlet section in particular enables
from an axial direction from externally the entry or respectively
exit of the fluid which is to be operated with the valve device
and, lying opposite this entry or respectively exit, offers in the
manner of a valve seat a closure partner for the closure section of
the armature unit, so that in a manner according to the invention
already through this integrated coil former an alignment of the
armature unit (together with closure section) to the valve seat
takes place. In other words, through the fact that according to the
invention within the scope of the further development, both the
guide of the armature unit (within the coil surrounding the latter,
i.e. within the winding section) is integrated with the inlet or
respectively outlet which is to be closed by the valve, both an
installation of the valve device at a place of use, and also an
adjustment or respectively arrangement of the valve function in
cooperation between closure section and valve seat is drastically
simplified.
[0011] This advantage according to the invention is then further
improved in particular in that, further preferably by way of a
plastic injection method or suchlike, the coil former is produced
with its components "winding section" and "inlet or respectively
outlet section" as a combined, one-piece part.
[0012] It has proved to be particularly advantageous structurally
here to connect the two components with one another via web
sections or suchlike connecting sections so that in the transition
region between the inlet or respectively outlet section and the
winding section wide flow cross-sections for fluid are produced,
which then in an opening state of the valve (i.e. the closure
section of the armature unit is situated at a distance from the
inlet or respectively outlet section or respectively the valve seat
formed therein) permits a low flow-resistance through-flow of the
valve. The further preferred radially symmetrical configuration at
least of this section of the coil former then leads to a cage shape
in this transition region, which combines mechanical stability with
the described favourable guide characteristics and an ability to be
manufactured simply and in an automated manner.
[0013] Advantageously and in a further developing manner according
to the invention, the inlet or respectively outlet section realizes
a nozzle-like channel or respectively a channel widening in the
direction of the axial end. In the widened opening region, the
connection then takes place to the actual working chamber of the
valve, i.e. the inflow or respectively outflow of the fluid
entering into the valve, whilst at the narrowed end of the channel,
lying axially opposite the widened region, a region serving as a
valve seat is then constructed for cooperating with the closure
section (e.g. valve rubber) of the armature unit.
[0014] In this way, in a surprisingly simple and elegant manner
from the point of view of construction and manufacturing, an
electromagnetic valve device is produced, which significantly
overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art and in
particular creates an electromagnetic valve device which combines
the best possible protection with respect to undesirably
penetrating intrusive and foreign media with the best possible
(ideal) compactness and passages which are optimized for an
unimpeded fluid flow. It becomes clear that in particular in use in
mass production and in the practical installation or respectively
adjustment at the place of use, an electromagnetic valve device
produced in such a manner represents a significant reduction in
expenditure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Further advantages, features and details of the invention
will emerge from the following description of preferred example
embodiments and with the aid of the drawings; these show in
[0016] FIG. 1 a longitudinal section through an electromagnetic
valve device according to a first embodiment of the present
invention in an energized opening state (i.e. the first example
embodiment concerns a currentless-closed valve device);
[0017] FIG. 2 a longitudinal sectional illustration of the first
example embodiment analogous to FIG. 1 in opened valve state with
fluid flows indicated diagrammatically by arrows;
[0018] FIG. 3 a partially cut off perspective view of the coil
former according to the invention in accordance with the first
example embodiment described in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and as example
embodiment of the coil former claimed independently as
invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 a sectional view of the valve device of the first
embodiment according to FIG. 1-3 from the perspective of FIG. 1 in
the (currentless-) closed state; and
[0020] FIG. 5, FIG. 6 perspective exterior views of the valve
device of the first embodiment according to FIG. 1-4, to illustrate
a fluid flow in the lateral casing region of the coil means (FIG.
5) or respectively to illustrate a drainage outlet in the (axial)
base region of the coil means (FIG. 6).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] A magnetically soft armature unit 10, having a cylindrical
outer casing, is movable along an axial direction (axis 12,
likewise symmetry axis) relative to a stationary coil unit and a
stationary core unit 14. The coil unit has here a coil body 18
providing a hollow cylindrical inner- or respectively guide space
16 for the armature unit, which has a winding section 20 and an
(otherwise known) winding 22 (and which again, in an otherwise
known manner, can be energized for driving the armature 10). An
inlet- or respectively outlet section 24, which forms an opening 28
of a channel 30 which is widened in the direction of a valve
working chamber 26, adjoins in one piece onto the winding section
20 axially on the end face of the coil former 18. This conical
channel 30 forms at the other end (i.e. lying opposite the opening
28) a valve seat 32 tapering in the manner of a nozzle, which,
along the axial direction 12, is aligned to the direction of
movement of the armature unit 10. In practical terms, the armature
10 has in its end region directed to the valve seat 32 an inserted
valve rubber section 34 as closure section, so that in the
switching position of the valve device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, the
armature unit exposes the valve seat 32 and consequently the flow
channel 28 of the inlet- or respectively outlet section, whilst,
cf. in FIG. 4, the armature in its raised state of movement
(corresponding to the non-energized state of the winding 22), the
valve rubber 34 closes the valve seat 32 and thus seals the flow
channel 28.
[0022] The armature unit 10 cooperates in an otherwise known manner
electromagnetically with the core unit 14, wherein the spiral
compression spring 36, provided in the armature interior and
supported on an inner section and against the core 14, prestresses
the armature unit and consequently the valve rubber into the closed
position (FIG. 4). Annular polymer bodies 38 inserted into the
armature unit 10 in the direction of the core unit 14 serve as
damping of an armature impact with respect to the core unit 14 on
energizing of the winding 22.
[0023] In the upper region (in the figures), the one-piece coil
former 18 is supported and sealed by means of a ring seal 40 with
respect to a surrounding installation housing infrastructure. In an
otherwise known manner, a magnetically conducting housing
consisting of a housing shell 42 and a face-side yoke plate 44
surrounds the coil body and thus provides for an electromagnetic
flux via the armature unit or respectively the core, in order to
drive the armature unit axially in the previously described
manner.
[0024] In particular the perspective view of FIG. 3 illustrates
further structural details of the coil former 18. Thus, firstly it
becomes clear that the winding section 20 is delimited by a first
ring flange 48 on the base side and by an upper ring flange 50, so
that a winding region is produced for the winding 22. In the inner
region 16, a hollow cylindrical lateral surface 52 is formed, which
is adapted in a leading manner to an outer circumference of the
armature body 10. Drainage channels 54, running parallel to the
axial direction 12, are additionally shown, which are formed as
axially-running slots into the plastic material of the one-piece
coil former shown in FIG. 3, and open on the base side, in the
region of the lower flange 38, into a labyrinth structure realized
by means of projecting ring webs 56.
[0025] As explained in the introduction, this impedes the
penetration of dirt or suchlike intrusive media into the interior
of the armature chamber, which, likewise ventilated through the
drainage channels 54, can be subjected to a drainage.
[0026] In the inlet- or respectively outlet section 24 of the coil
former lying axially opposite ring flange 48, firstly in the
perspective sectional view which is shown the flow channel 28,
tapering conically to the valve seat 32, can be clearly seen. It
becomes clear in addition that the section 24 is connected with the
winding section 20 via webs 58, 60 running parallel to one another
and axially parallel, wherein free spaces or respectively apertures
occur, provided between these webs for the realization of flow
passages 62. In the radially symmetrical configuration, see for
instance FIG. 5, a cage structure is thus produced between the
inlet- or respectively outlet section 24 and the winding section 20
which is linked by means of the webs 58, 60.
[0027] The longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 2, rotated axially
through 90.degree. with respect to the illustration of FIG. 1,
illustrates by the indicated arrows the fluid flow through the
valve device in the opening state of the valve (i.e. axially
lowered adjustment position of the armature unit 10 in vertical
direction). It becomes clear that fluid flowing into the channel 28
in the opened state can firstly exit radially through the free
opening sections 62 of the cage region and can then be guided again
in vertical direction downwards (within a surrounding installation
shell of the device). The illustration of FIG. 2 illustrates in
addition the fluid assemblies 74 as fluid guide section,
advantageously provided for this purpose, sitting laterally on the
winding section, which fluid assemblies, cf. the perspective
lateral illustration of FIG. 5 or respectively FIG. 6, are
configured as plate-like injection moulded elements, in the manner
shown in FIG. 5 require a meander-like fluid flow (due for instance
to projections 76) and in the manner shown for instance in FIG. 1
can be fastened by applying or respectively gluing with the flanges
50, 48 of the winding section.
[0028] Again, this meander-like, labyrinth-like fluid guide leads
to a penetration of undesired intrusive media (outlet region 78,
shown in FIG. 5, 6) being at least made difficult.
[0029] With regard to the outlet on the base side (reference number
56 in FIG. 3), FIG. 6 additionally illustrates that in an assembly
state a mounting plate 80, almost completely closing off the base,
reduces the exit from the drainage device to the partial
cross-section 82.
[0030] It becomes clear from the previously described example
embodiment, which realizes a valve device in a typical realization
with an armature stroke of approximately 1.1 mm, an armature
diameter of 9 mm and an overall length of 40 mm in axial direction,
that in addition to a distinctly improved protection from a
penetration of foreign bodies or respectively foreign substances,
especially the production, installation and adjustment are
drastically simplified. This leads to a typical external diameter
of the housing (FIG. 1 to FIG. 3) being able to be reduced to up to
30 mm, so that the present invention is suitable in particular for
cramped installation spaces in burdened environments, hence has
outstanding characteristics for instance for the mobile and motor
vehicle field.
* * * * *